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Cagliari end the campaign still without a victory since February, but at least Daniele Ragatzu – and their goalkeeper – prevented another defeat.

Mid-table security was already assured going into the final round, but caretaker manager Giorgio Melis at least hoped to end his Cagliari career with a victory. The Sardinians were without a win since February and Nene’ sat out a ban, while Federico Marchetti, Francesco Pisano and Michael Agazzi were injured, so Vigorito got his debut in goal. Bologna ensured their safety last weekend and were struck down by a flu virus sweeping the team. It took out Zenoni, Gimenez and Marcelo Zalayeta. Also absent were Casarini, Mudingayi, Mingazzini and Moras.

Bologna took the lead with their first opportunity after three minutes. Martins Adailton gathered an Antonio Busce’ pullback from eight yards and his rising strike cannoned off the underside of the bar, bouncing over the line before it went out.

Debutant goalkeeper Vigorito was certainly kept busy, as he needed a series of first half saves to keep the scoreline down from Adailton’s half-volleys.

Cagliari wasted a great chance to equalise after the restart, as Davide Biondini’s pass was wayward with Alessandro Matri totally unmarked waiting to tap in.

The Sardinians drew level when youth team product Daniele Ragatzu pounced on a poor clearance outside the box to pick his spot and smash in.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Palermo scraped a stoppage-time victory, but it didn’t matter, as Sampdoria go into the Champions League.

The Orobici already knew they were relegated, but for the Sicilians it was all to play for. They needed a victory and for Napoli to trip up Sampdoria in order to qualify for the Champions League.

Giulio Migliaccio was suspended with Fabrizio Miccoli, Mark Bresciano and Fabio Simplicio sidelined. The home team had the trio of Maximiliano Pellegrino, Nicola Amoruso and Jaime Valdes on a ban, plus Edgar Barreto, Javier Chevanton, Tiberio Guarente, Leonardo Talamonti and Paolo Zanetti injured.

Atalanta had a strong start, threatening in the opening minutes with both Cristiano Doni firing over and Simone Tiribocchi hitting it straight at Salvatore Sirigu.

However, it was Palermo who broke through against the run of play. The South Americans combined, as Javier Pastore sprung the offside trap from an Abel Hernandez ball over the top to prod with the outside of his right foot for Edinson Cavani to tap in.

Fabio Ceravolo’s header was straight at the goalkeeper and Sirigu flew to palm away a Radovanovic right-foot screamer. Just before the break, Pastore set up Abel Hernandez only for the Uruguayan to drill wide from the edge of the area.

Cristiano Doni’s free kick skimmed the upright, but play was repeatedly halted in the first half due to fireworks thrown by the Atalanta fans.

The Orobici ruined Palermo’s Champions League hopes straight after the restart with a wonderful Ceravolo solo effort. He burst down the left flank and smashed the curling right-foot finish in at the near post.

News also came through that Sampdoria were winning at Marassi, so Palermo had that double blow. Nonetheless, the Sicilians kept pushing and Cavani’s angled drive was only denied by Bianco’s goalline clearance.

Sirigu was at full stretch to palm a Doni snapshot off the line, while Andrea Consigli had to keep out both Bertolo and Pastore.

Atalanta were right in the thick of this game and arguably had the better chances, as Simone Padoin’s effort from point-blank range brought a desperate reaction save from Sirigu.

Cavani controlled from a set play only to half-volley on to the side-netting from six yards.

Consigli prevented Igor Budan from turning the game around with a great save as the Croatian flicked with the outside of his right boot from close range.

Budan horribly wasted on the counter when one-on-one, firing straight at the grateful goalkeeper with a weak finish.

The referee awarded a harsh penalty in stoppages, as Bianco blocked an overhead kick with his hand, but he could not have got out of the way. Nonetheless, Cavani stepped up to convert the penalty and give Palermo a futile victory.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Italian football news – Serie A Week 38 – 16/5/10 – Stadium Massimino
Catania 1-0 Genoa – Maxi Lopez 65 (C)
Ref: Candussio – Sent off: Juric 63 (G)

Catania set the new club record for points in the top flight thanks to crucial January signing Maxi Lopez.

Sinisa Mihajlovic had already achieved safety against all odds and was now targeting the all-time club points record in Serie A, earned under Walter Zenga. Genoa failed to qualify for Europe and had struggled in recent weeks, although last Sunday’s win over Milan boosted confidence.

Cristian Llama, Augustyn and Gianvito Plasmati were sidelined, while the Rossoblu missed Jankovic, Kharja and the suspended Bocchetti.

Giuseppe Mascara’s daisy-cutter tested Marco Amelia and Maxi Lopez drilled inches wide with his left foot from the edge of the box.

Andrea Campagnolo smothered a Domenico Criscito snapshot at the near post following good work from Raffaele Palladino. Jorge Martinez put the ball in the back of the net, but was in an offside position.

Genoa wasted a golden opportunity to take the lead on the half-hour mark. David Suazo surged forward on the counter and went past Campagnolo to set up Palladino, but the finish flashed across a totally open goal from a tight angle!

Amelia needed two touches to parry a Maxi Lopez right-foot strike from distance on the strong of half-time.

Robert Acquafresca came very close to an opener for Genoa, as he shook off his marker to fire straight at the on-rushing Mariano Andujar from point-blank range.

However, Genoa were reduced to 10 men moments later when Ivan Juric received a foolish second yellow card in the space of five minutes.

Catania took advantage immediately. Ciro Capuano’s cross from the left found Maxi Lopez sliding in at the near post, getting in front of his marker for the 11th goal in 17 games.

Pablo Ledesma’s backheel flick created another chance for Adrian Ricchiuti, who failed to make the most of it.

Catania: Andujar; Alvarez, Silvestre, Terlizzi, Capuano; Biagianti; Ledesma, Ricchiuti (Marchese 79), Mascara, Martinez (Barrientos 59); Maxi Lopez (Russo 85)
Genoa: Amelia; Mesto, Criscito, Papastathopoulos, Tomovic; Milanetto (Zapater 67), Juric, Sculli, Palladino (Fatic 42); Suazo (Boakye 52), Acquafresca

Popularity: 45% [?]

Italian football news – Serie A Week 38 – 16/5/10 – Stadium Ferraris –
Ref: Rizzoli
Sampdoria 1-0 Napoli
Pazzini 51 (S)

Sampdoria: Storari; Zauri, Lucchini, Gastaldello, Ziegler (Cacciatori 64); Semioli (Guberti 63), Palombo, Tissone, Mannini; Cassano (Pozzi 87), Pazzini
Napoli: De Sanctis; Santacroce, Cannavaro, Grava; Maggio (Hoffer 63), Cigarini (Maiello 86), Pazienza, Dossena, Zuniga (Bogliacino 69); Denis, Quagliarella

Giampaolo Pazzini’s lone header proved enough to send Sampdoria into the Champions League, but they had quite a few scares.

There were mixed emotions at Marassi, as the Blucerchiati knew a victory would secure fourth place, but also realised Gigi Del Neri was likely to join Juventus next season. Samp had lost just once in over two months and hoped to maintain their unbeaten home record. Napoli were already sure of sixth position and missed Marek Hamsik, Hugo Campagnaro and the suspended Ezequiel Lavezzi, but it was a return for ex-Blucerchiati men Fabio Quagliarella, Christian Maggio and Walter Mazzarri.

In the opening minute there was an interruption, as a fan rushed on to the pitch wearing a t-shirt that read ‘Cassano for the Nazionale.’ Daniele Mannini wore a protective mask with the message: ‘They broke my nose.’

Gianluca Grava used his chest to stop a dangerous Antonio Cassano cross making its way into the six-yard box, while Morgan De Sanctis smothered a fierce Tissone snapshot from outside the box.

News filtered through that Palermo were winning in Bergamo, so Samp needed a victory to recapture fourth place. However, Napoli had some great chances, as Luciano Zauri effectively needed a goalline clearance to keep out a German Denis cross-shot that beat the goalkeeper and Paolo Cannavaro volleyed off target.

Quagliarella nearly ruined the party for his former club, as a towering header from a corner forced Marco Storari into a fantastic reaction save!

Cassano was the only one giving Samp some inspiration and dribbled between four Napoli shirts before he was eventually held back.

Sampdoria took the lead six minutes after the restart with Giampaolo Pazzini. It was a Reto Ziegler free kick from near the corner flag that found ‘Pazzo’ for a towering header from five yards, as he got away from Fabiano Santacroce. A win here would guarantee Champions League qualification.

Quagliarella went so close to an equaliser, as he dribbled between two defenders for an angled drive that Storari beat away with his outstretched foot.

Napoli so nearly made it 1-1 on 67 minutes, as a free kick found Dossena at the back post for a volley that Storari turned on to the upright from six yards.

There was panic at the 87th minute, as a Santacroce hopeful ball forward was flicked on and almost resulted in an own goal, Storari scrambling back with Hoffer to see it whistle wide.

Popularity: 17% [?]

Serie A, Week 38 – 16/5/10 – Stadium San Nicola
Strikers: Stellini 36′ (Bari), Rivas 95′ (Bari)
Referee: Giancola – Sent off: Gamberini 91 (Fiorentina)

Fiorentina end the campaign with a whimper, but it’s a celebration for Bari who finish in 10th place.

The mood was very different in the two camps. Bari felt jubilation at finishing mid-table after so many years in Serie B and wanted to thank the San Nicola crowd. Fiorentina’s failure to qualify for Europe and continuing uncertainty over Cesare Prandelli’s future meant they were simply eager for the season to end.

The Viola were decimated by injuries to Juan Vargas, Mario Alberto Santana, Alberto Gilardino, Manuel Pasqual, Cristian Zanetti, Gianluca Comotto and the suspended Per Kroldrup. Stevan Jovetic took on a new centre-forward role. Bari missed Riccardo Meggiorini, Mariano Donda, Andrea Ranocchia, Antonio Langella and the banned Belmonte.

Jovetic did put the ball in the back of the net after 11 minutes, but he was offside when the Adem Ljajic assist came in.

Ljajic was impressive and his long-range strike tested Jean-Francois Gillet, but Bari had a great chance when Vlada Avramov got down to parry Paulo Barreto’s snapshot.

Massimo Gobbi was stretchered off after a crunching tackle from ex-Fiorentina flop Nacho Castillo. Marco Marchionni’s effort took a deflection that lifted it inches off target.

Andrea Masiello almost scored an embarrassing own goal, as the ricochet hit his leg and bounced back over the bar.

It was Bari who broke through after 36 minutes. Castillo knocked down a corner for Cristian Stellini’s half-volley from six yards at the back post.

Riccardo Montolivo drilled a screamer just wide from distance, but it was so nearly 2-0 before half-time when Leonardo Bonucci ran on to an Edgar Alvarez through ball to hit the side-netting.

Avramov needed a desperate double save on the hour mark to deny Alessandro Parisi and the Sergio Almiron follow-up. Castillo should’ve doubled Bari’s lead, but incredibly fired wide when one-on-one with Avramov.

Jovetic wasn’t entirely convincing as a centre-forward, although he did threaten on 75 minutes when testing Gillet from point-blank range.

In stoppages substitute Alessandro Gamberini saw red for a crazy protest, as he pushed the referee in the chest with his finger, so the dismissal was inevitable.

Moments later Bari sealed the 2-0 scoreline with Emmanuel Riva tapping in Kamata’s assist from close range.

Squads:
Bari: Gillet; A Masiello, Stellini, Bonucci, Parisi; Alvarez, Gazzi, Almiron (Donati 69), Rivas; Barreto (Rivas 83), Castillo (Kamata 91)
Fiorentina: Avramov; De Silvestri, Natali, Felipe, Gobbi (Gamberini 30); Donadel (Agyei 48), Bolatti, Montolivo; Marchionni, Ljajic (Carraro 65); Jovetic

Popularity: 4% [?]

Serie A Week 38 – 16/5/10 – Stadio Bentegodi – Ref: Tagliavento
Strikers: Vucinic 39′ (Roma), De Rossi 45′ (Roma)

Despite their best efforts and this comfortable victory, it is Inter who take the Serie A title thanks to their win in Siena.

For the second time in three years, Roma went into the last day needing a win and an Inter slip-up at Siena to lift the Scudetto. Due to their superior head-to-head record, a tie at the top of the table would make the Giallorossi champions of Italy.

The Flying Donkeys were already mathematically safe, but proved with last week’s hard-fought 4-3 loss to Jose Mourinho’s men that they wouldn’t give anyone an easy ride. John Arne Riise was in the stands due to suspension, while Chievo missed Bianchi, Mandelli, Morero and Pinzi.

Around 20,000 Roma fans travelled to the Bentegodi for an extraordinary atmosphere. Francesco Totti’s free kick was charged down and Marco Cassetti drilled off target.

Marco Motta did very well to close down Luca Ariatti for a corner after his marvellous first touch at the byline.

Roma were very unlucky not to take the lead on 21 minutes, as Totti smashed a powerful rising right-foot strike on the bounce that cracked against the outside of the upright!

Lorenzo Squizzi only parried a Totti cross-shot for his defence to desperately clear before Simone Perrotta could pounce. Another Totti lob whistled wide and Squizzi had a Mirko Vucinic low drive under control.

Totti had penalty appeals on 34 minutes, as he just failed to touch a Taddei ball across the face of goal, but he seemed to over-stretch and lose his balance from six yards.

Totti did put the ball in the net, but was clearly offside, then Vucinic hit the effort too meekly on the counter so it was charged down by Sardo.

Roma finally made their domination count six minutes before the break. Vucinic was released on the counter by a ball over the top, let it bounce and picked his spot, smashing the right-foot shot in at the near post from just inside the area.

Inter were still 0-0 at Siena, so at this stage Roma were top of the table thanks to their superior head-to-head record.

The Giallorossi doubled their advantage in first half stoppages. Daniele De Rossi unleashed an unstoppable blockbuster with the outside of his right foot. The poor clearance seemed to be going nowhere, but he hit it so sweetly from 25 metres to stun Sorrentino.

Chievo poured forward at the dawn of the second half, as Sergio Pellissier and Luciano had a series of efforts charged down. News also filtered through that Inter had taken the lead in Siena, meaning any result here would be meaningless.

Roma decided to play on the counter, but both Vucinic and Totti were charged down by Squizzi.

Matteo Brighi’s shot was deflected wide of the near post. From the resulting corner, a Philippe Mexes header skimmed the woodwork.

Squads:
Chievo: Squizzi; Sardo, Scardina, Yepes, Jokic; Luciano, Iori (Moro 78), Ariatti (De Paula 58), Bentivoglio; Granoche (Bogdani 68), Pellissier
Roma: Julio Sergio; Motta (Mexes 75), Juan, Burdisso, Cassetti (Tonetto 69); De Rossi (Brighi 70), Pizarro; Taddei, Perrotta, Vucinic; Totti

Popularity: 2% [?]

Serie A Week 37 – 9/5/10 – Stadio Picchi – Ref: Gava
Strikers: Rocchi 13 (La), Lucarelli 33 (Li), Brocchi 44 (La)

Lazio secure their safety with a comfortable away victory thanks to Tommaso Rocchi and Cristian Brocchi.

The conflicting political ideology of the fanbases makes this a very tense fixture indeed, but this time around it was also between a side that was already relegated and another needing a point to avoid the same fate. Livorno had won only one of their previous 18 games, while Lazio were fresh from a controversial 2-0 home defeat to Inter. In that match, their own fans cheered on the Nerazzurri, thus ruining the Scudetto hopes of rivals Roma.

Mauro Zarate was suspended with Mourad Meghni, Cristian Manfredini, Albano Bizzarri and Francelino Matuzalem sidelined. Livorno’s treatment table was crowded with Leonardo Miglionico, Nelson Rivas, Francesco Tavano, Antonio Filippini, Dario Knezevic, Pablo Diniz, Nico Pulzetti, Pieri and Andrea Esposito.

Lazio took the lead when Tommaso Rocchi went between the defenders to tap in a smart low Aleksandar Kolarov cross from the left flank. The move had been started by Stefano Mauri’s through ball.

The visitors lost Stephan Lichtsteiner to an injury, as he was left dazed by getting his head in the way of a powerful shot.

Livorno equalised with their most representative player, Cristiano Lucarelli. He was marginally offside when shaking off his marker to volley in Cristian Raimondi’s cross from six yards.

Rocchi nearly completed his brace with a strike that clipped the outside of the upright on 36 minutes, while Alfonso De Lucia had to beat away a typically fierce Kolarov free kick.

Lazio restored their advantage just shy of half-time, as Cristian Brocchi hit a powerful low shot from the edge of the box that bounced its way into the near bottom corner.

Neither side did much in the second half, as tiredness set in and Lucarelli limped off with a knee injury.

Claudio Bellucci had the best opportunity to equalise in the final minutes, but fired it straight at Nando Muslera.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Serie A Week 37 – 9/5/10 – Stadio Franchi – Ref: Tozzi
Strikers: Vergassola 3 (S), Marchionni 16 (F)

Fiorentina fought back for a draw in this timid derby that ended the campaign on a low note.

This was a Tuscan derby, but one shorn of a competitive nature, as Fiorentina were already out of the running for Europe and Siena’s relegation was sealed last weekend. Both Coaches took the opportunity to test out some new faces.

In part this was forced upon them, as Mario Alberto Santana, Juan Manuel Vargas, Alessandro Gamberini, Gianluca Comotto and Babacar were sidelined. The vistors missed Francesco Pratali and Francesco Parravicini.

Siena took the lead almost immediately. Massimo Maccarone’s cross from the left was knocked down by Albin Ekdal for Simone Vergassola to volley in from seven yards.

Fiorentina equalised when Stevan Jovetic went on a slalom through the Siena defence and the ball eventually found its way to the on-rushing Marco Marchionni to tap in undisturbed at the back post.

Cesare Natali nodded an Adem Ljajic free kick just over, though it was Jovetic who was taking control with a series of solo efforts.

Alberto Gilardino replaced Keirrison for the second half, but Sebastien Frey had to beat away a Maccarone snapshot and Emanuele Calaio’ left-foot strike. Gianluca Curci palmed Massimo Gobbi’s angled drive round the post and had his palms stung by Riccardo Montolivo’s missile.

Siena nearly won it on 86 minutes when substitute Larrondo received from Jajalo to turn in the box, but he thumped the upright when one-on-one with Frey.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Serie A Week 37 – 9/5/10 – Stadio Dall’Ara – Ref: Giannoccaro
Strikers: Di Vaio 15 (B), Maxi Lopez 51 (C)

Both teams are now safe from the drop with a share of the spoils at the Dall’Ara.

Barring a minor miracle, both teams were safe for another season in Serie A. Bologna did just about enough with their last-gasp draw against 10-man Atalanta last week, while the Elefantini were looking to beat the club record of 43 points.

Gaby Mudingayi and Mingazzini were sidelined along with the suspended Daniele Portanova. Catania had to do without Cristian Llama and Blazej Augustyn, but Jorge Martinez was off the treatment table and on the bench.

Mariano Andujar beat away a Marco Di Vaio free kick that burst the defensive wall, then did the same to deny a Casarini left-foot shot on the bounce.

Di Vaio did break the deadlock when he ran on to an Antonio Busce’ through ball to roll a snooker shot into the near corner.

Casarini went off with an injury to make way for Francesco Modesto.

Catania equalised after the restart when Biagianti threaded through the middle to release Maxi Lopez, who kept his cool to place a daisy-cutter into the far corner.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Serie A Week 37 – 9/5/10 – Stadio San Paolo – Ref: Orsato
Striker: Quagliarella 42′, 83′ (Napoli)

Fabio Quagliarella’s brace has mathematically secured Napoli’s place in the Europa League – sending Juventus to the preliminary round – and relegated Atalanta to Serie B.

The Orobici conceded their hopes had been “reduced to their last embers” after the unlucky 1-1 draw with Bologna last week. Max Pellegrino’s red card proved crucial and here he sat out the first in a two-match ban, joining the injured Cristiano Doni, Jose Leonardo Talamonti, Paolo Zanetti and Edgar Barreto.

Napoli were in the Europa League, but faced a battle with Juventus to avoid the preliminary round. Gianluca Grava and Juan Zuniga were suspended, with Hugo Campagnaro out for the rest of the season, but Walter Mazzarri tested out the trident attack.

German Denis had a goal disallowed after six minutes for his foul on Bianco, then ‘El Tanque’ nodded another chance just wide.

Andrea Consigli kept his cool in a on-on-one against Ezequiel Lavezzi to close down the striker. At the other end Morgan De Sanctis was attentive to palm away a Tiberio Guarente lob.

Fabio Quagliarella made his comeback from a ban and scored on the stroke of half-time. He charged down the right flank and flashed a snooker-shot of an angled drive across the face of goal into the far bottom corner.

Simone Tiribocchi went so close to an equaliser 30 seconds later, but after skipping round De Sanctis he had narrowed the angle too much and hit the side-netting.

Fabio Caserta wasted the chance to equalise with a header off target, but it was Napoli who doubled their lead.

Quagliarella got the second in the final stages, soaring at the back post for a towering header on Mariano Bogliacino’s cross from the left.

Popularity: 4% [?]